Candidate #1

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
Psalm 11:4, 5, 7
John 21:20-25

Peter asked Jesus. “What about him, Lord?” - John 21:21

May I take a stab at explaining Filipinos’ penchant for beauty pageants? I believe that our inordinate fondness for these programs stem from our natural tendencies to find fault.

“Oh my God! Candidate 21’s thighs are bigger than mine - and I’m a varsity soccer player!”

“Candidate 32 should thank Funeraria Paz for her makeup.”

“Candidate 43’s gown reminds me of home - it’s made from the same material as our curtains!”

Admit it: In our humanity and frailty, there’s this natural high in feeling one is better whenever the chance to compare arises. There’s just this innate tendency in most of us to compare ourselves with others.

Take Peter for example. He had just told Jesus he loved Him three time to make up for his three-time denial days before. Yet he already had the nerve to ask Jesus what the fate of John would be.

Step Four of the 12-Step Recovery program states, “We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. “Let’s cease from either taking comfort in comparing ourselves with someone worse off than we are or be envious of people who are making progress. Only when we focus on our own issues will our spiritual progress take place. Roy M.

Reflection: Made fun of anyone lately?

Forgive me, Father, for my penchant to criticize and judge others.

St. Becan, hermit, pray for us.